This is an analytical overview based on the Wikipedia article concerning the 2023 West Devon Borough Council election. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

West Devon Electoral Dynamics

An in-depth analysis of the 2023 West Devon Borough Council election, detailing the shifts in political representation and the resulting council composition.

View Results 📊 Explore Wards 🗺️

Election Overview

Shift in Control

The 2023 West Devon Borough Council election, held on May 4th, 2023, marked a significant political transition. Previously under Conservative majority control, the election resulted in the council falling under "no overall control" (NOC). This outcome reflects a notable shift in the local political landscape.

Formation of Coalition

Following the election, a new political alignment emerged. Independent councillors, alongside representatives from the Green Party, Liberal Democrats, and Labour, formed a coalition. This group, termed the "West Devon Alliance," subsequently took control of the council. Independent councillor Mandy Ewings was appointed as the new leader of the council during the annual meeting on May 30th, 2023.

Key Statistics

The overall turnout for the election was 39.07%. The election saw substantial seat changes across several parties, most notably a reduction in Conservative seats and gains for the Green Party and Liberal Democrats, contributing to the shift towards NOC.

Results Summary

Overall Seat Distribution

The election contested all 31 seats on the council. The outcome led to a significant redistribution of seats:

Summary of Seat Changes
Party Seats Before Seats After Net Change
Conservative 17 11 6
Independent 11 10 1
Green 2 5 3
Liberal Democrats 1 4 2
Labour 0 1 1
Total 31 31 0

Vote Share Analysis

The popular vote percentages illustrate the electorate's preferences:

Popular Vote Percentage
Party Percentage Change
Conservative 39.60% 1.70%
Independent 27.78% 2.92%
Green 17.40% 5.60%
Liberal Democrats 10.58% 3.68%
Labour 4.13% 7.27%
Reform UK 0.52% N/A

Ward-Level Results

Detailed results from each ward provide granular insight into the election outcomes. Note the specific circumstances for the Burrator ward election delay and the Tavistock North by-election.

Devon Context

This election was part of the broader 2023 United Kingdom local elections, held concurrently with elections in other English local authorities. The results in West Devon reflect regional and national political trends.

Ward Breakdown

The following tables detail the results for each electoral ward, including candidate performance, vote counts, percentage shares, and changes from the previous election where applicable.

Bere Ferrers (2 Seats)

Bere Ferrers Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Isabel Angela Saxby 757 59.65 +32.9
Conservative Angela Blackman * 478 37.67 N/A
Conservative Peter Edward Crozier * 453 35.70 −3.9
Liberal Democrats Graham Richard Reed 399 31.44 −9.7
Turnout 1269 43.94
Labour gain from Liberal Democrats Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Bridestowe (2 Seats)

Bridestowe Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Caroline Marie Mott * 507 56.02 −6.8
Conservative Terry Southcott * 463 51.16 −5.1
Green Patrick John Jeffery 401 44.31 N/A
Turnout 916 35.56
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Burrator (2 Seats)

Note: The election for this ward was delayed until June 15, 2023, due to the passing of a candidate. Results reflect the eventual contest.

Burrator Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Nicola Viney 510 56.23 +56.2
Liberal Democrats Christopher Paul West 401 44.21 N/A
Conservative Diana Elizabeth Moyse* 275 30.32 +30.3
Conservative Felix Davies 221 24.37 N/A
Green Sam North 76 8.38 N/A
Turnout 907 31.97
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing
Liberal Democrats gain from Independent Swing

Chagford (1 Seat)

Chagford Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Jane Elliott * 485 65.28 +16.8
Conservative Nicky Heyworth 258 34.72 −16.8
Turnout 754 58.68
Green gain from Conservative Swing

Dartmoor (1 Seat)

Dartmoor Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Mark Christian Renders * 404 74.27 −4.8
Liberal Democrats Holly Greenberry-Pullen 140 25.73 N/A
Turnout 547 38.55
Independent hold Swing

Drewsteignton (1 Seat)

Drewsteignton Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Steven William Guthrie 292 51.14 +12.6
Conservative Paul James Ridgers* 279 48.86 −2.5
Turnout 573 42.63
Green gain from Conservative Swing

Exbourne (2 Seats)

Exbourne Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Louise Sacha Watts 613 50.54 −3.7
Conservative Mike Casbolt 575 47.40 −2.8
Liberal Democrats Christian Martin 541 44.60 N/A
Green Judy Sara Marguerita Maciejowska 435 35.86 −4.6
Turnout 1226 37.50
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Hatherleigh (2 Seats)

Hatherleigh Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Patrick John Derek Kimber * 579 68.85 +68.85
Conservative Samantha Jane Wakeham 430 51.13 +51.13
Green Andrew Robert Pratt 289 34.36 N/A
Turnout 847 33.60
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Mary Tavy (1 Seat)

Mary Tavy Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Robert John Oxborough 240 41.45 N/A
Conservative Jonathan Stanley Gilpin 127 21.93 −13.7
Independent Dave Herbert 113 19.52 N/A
Liberal Democrats Andrew Gordon Lynn Brown 99 17.10 N/A
Turnout 586 44.63
Independent gain from Independent Swing

Milton Ford (1 Seat)

Milton Ford Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Neil Jory * Unopposed N/A −66.9
Turnout N/A N/A
Conservative hold Swing

Okehampton North (3 Seats)

Okehampton North Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Tony Leech * 695 50.44 −12.3
Conservative Kevin Ball * 548 39.77 −1.4
Liberal Democrats George Herbert Dexter 428 31.06 N/A
Conservative Lois Esther Samuel 425 30.84 −12.0
Green Colin James Trier 370 26.85 N/A
Turnout 1387 32.29
Independent hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing

Okehampton South (2 Seats)

Okehampton South Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Paul Richard Vachon * 433 53.46 +5.6
Green Malcolm William Calder 417 51.48 +15.4
Conservative Julie Veronica Yelland * 368 45.43 +7.6
Conservative Clare Mary Gerardine Kemp 194 23.95 −2.2
Turnout 810 28.59
Independent hold Swing
Green gain from Conservative Swing

South Tawton (1 Seat)

South Tawton Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Lynn Christine Daniel * 476 68.20 +7.0
Conservative Simon John Powell 222 31.80 −7.0
Turnout 705 45.78
Green hold Swing +7.0

Tamarside (1 Seat)

Tamarside Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Chris Edmonds * 313 64.01 −9.4
Green Matthew Paul Faith 141 28.83 N/A
Reform UK Lawrence Grose 35 7.16 N/A
Turnout 492 34.26
Conservative hold Swing -8.0

Tavistock North (3 Seats)

Note: This ward experienced a by-election on May 2, 2024, following the resignation of a councillor. The results below pertain to the May 2023 election.

Tavistock North Results (May 2023)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Jeff Moody * 822 57.08 −3.7
Liberal Democrats Pete Squire 685 47.57 +24.0
Green Terry Vincent Wheeler 540 37.50 N/A
Independent Michael Arthur Fife Cook 505 35.07 N/A
Conservative David Edward Turnbull * 414 28.75 +10.0
Conservative Judy Ann Hughes 333 23.13 +4.7
Conservative John Nicholas Gray 268 18.61 N/A
Reform UK Brian Anthony Arden Trew 95 6.60 N/A
Turnout 1442 35.67
Independent hold Swing
Liberal Democrats gain from Independent Swing
Green gain from Independent Swing

Tavistock South East (2 Seats)

Tavistock South East Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Adam Duncan Bridgewater 734 60.36 N/A
Conservative Debo Sellis * 604 49.67 −0.1
Green Amy St. Clair Hookway 472 38.82 +9.8
Conservative Richard Ivor John Phillips 378 31.09 −0.1
Turnout 1224 42.44
Independent hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Tavistock South West (2 Seats)

Tavistock South West Results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Anne Johnson 662 77.07 N/A
Independent Mandy Victoria Louise Ewings * 608 70.78 +18.7
Conservative Andy Nelson 157 18.28 +0.7
Conservative Candy Gynn-Martin 122 14.20 −2.6
Turnout 860 29.07
Independent hold Swing
Independent hold Swing

Post-Election Developments

Council Leadership Transition

Following the election results, the political composition of West Devon Borough Council shifted significantly. The previous Conservative majority was replaced by a situation of no overall control. This led to the formation of the "West Devon Alliance," a coalition comprising Independent, Green, Liberal Democrat, and Labour councillors. Mandy Ewings, an Independent councillor, was subsequently elected as the Leader of the Council.

Seat Fluctuation Analysis

The election resulted in a net loss of 6 seats for the Conservatives and 1 seat for the Independents. Conversely, the Green Party gained 3 seats, and the Liberal Democrats gained 2 seats. Labour also secured 1 seat, marking gains for these parties and contributing to the council's changed political dynamic.

By-Election Updates

Two notable electoral events occurred post-election:

  • The election for the Burrator ward was postponed to June 15, 2023, due to a candidate's death.
  • A by-election in Tavistock North on May 2, 2024, saw the Liberal Democrats gain a seat, highlighting ongoing electoral shifts. Another by-election is scheduled for May 1, 2025, in Tavistock North following a different councillor's resignation.

References

Source Citations

The information presented herein is derived from publicly available data, primarily referencing the Wikipedia article on the 2023 West Devon Borough Council election and its cited sources.

  • Councillors by Political Party. West Devon Borough Council. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  • Local Elections 2023: Voters across Devon to elect new councils in May. BBC News. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  • Local elections 2023: Conservatives lose West Devon majority. BBC News. May 5, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  • New mayor and leader at West Devon Borough Council. Okehampton Times. May 31, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  • West Devon election result. BBC News. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  • Borough Council election results. West Devon Borough Council. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  • West Devon Borough Council poll for the Burrator Ward to be rearranged due to candidate death. West Devon Borough Council. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  • Green councillor resigns after losing home. Tavistock Times Gazette. May 19, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  • Independent councillor wins by drawing lots after by-election is dead heat! Tavistock Times Gazette. June 23, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  • West Devon Borough Council by-election: Lib Dem win in Tavistock North Ward. Tavistock Today. May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  • The dream shall never Dye. Local Councils. March 15, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  • Independent councillor wins by drawing lots after by-election is dead heat! Tavistock Times Gazette. June 23, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio
Click here to open the "2023 West Devon Borough Council Election" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about 2023_west_devon_borough_council_election while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

donny marie 1976 tv series
    
dssam model
    
neocortex
    
political dissent
    
brazilian carnival
    
folk metal
    
corruption in south africa
    
catholic church and politics
    
pope zosimus
    
dwight d. eisenhower memorial
    

References

References

  1.  Of the 11 independent councillors before the election, 9 formed the "West Devon Alliance" with the Liberal Democrats and Greens, led by Ric Cheadle, the other 2 independents were not aligned to any group.
A full list of references for this article are available at the 2023 West Devon Borough Council election Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice Regarding Election Data

This document has been generated by an AI system for informational and educational purposes. The content is based on data extracted from publicly accessible sources, including Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and completeness, the information may not be entirely up-to-date or free from errors or omissions.

This is not official election commentary or advice. The analysis presented here is for educational context only and should not substitute consultation with official election bodies, political analysts, or relevant authorities. Users should always verify information with primary sources for critical decision-making.

The creators of this content are not liable for any inaccuracies, interpretations, or actions taken based on the information provided herein.